1. What is dBm to Watts Conversion?

dBm (decibel-milliwatts) is a logarithmic measurement of power relative to 1 milliwatt. Converting dBm to watts provides the absolute power measurement in linear units, which is often needed for engineering calculations and system specifications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following conversion formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Power in watts
• \( dBm \) — Power in decibel-milliwatts

Explanation: The formula converts from logarithmic scale (dBm) to linear scale (watts) by reversing the logarithmic calculation.

3. Practical Applications

Details: This conversion is essential in RF engineering, telecommunications, and network design where power levels are often specified in dBm but need to be converted to watts for power calculations, system design, or regulatory compliance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter the dBm value you want to convert. The calculator will provide the equivalent power in watts. Both positive and negative dBm values are supported.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is 30 subtracted in the formula?
A: The 30 accounts for converting from milliwatts (dBm reference) to watts (1 W = 1000 mW = 30 dB).

Q2: What is the relationship between dBm and watts?
A: 0 dBm equals 1 milliwatt (0.001 W). Each 3 dB increase doubles the power, each 3 dB decrease halves the power.

Q3: What are typical dBm values in wireless communications?
A: WiFi signals typically range from -30 dBm (1 μW) to -80 dBm (10 pW). Cellular base stations might transmit at +43 dBm (20 W).

Q4: How precise is this conversion?
A: The conversion is mathematically exact. Precision depends on the accuracy of your dBm measurement.

Q5: Can I convert watts back to dBm?
A: Yes, the reverse formula is: dBm = 10 × log10(W) + 30